Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Killer of Killers is all anyone is talking about right now after the iconic animated movie opened up to a warm welcome on the streaming platform, Hulu.
Starring three different time periods of human civilizations, and several different major characters, Predator: Killer of Killers also delves into the rich history and culture of feudal Japan. That little segment in the movie is proof that Dan Trachtenberg shouldn’t waste Hiroyuki Sanada’s worth as an actor and make a Predator movie with the Shōgun star already!
Hiroyuki Sanada and Predator: Killer of Killers have proved their worth
In 2022, Dan Trachtenberg delved into the Yautja franchise and directed a film titled Prey. Set during the 1700s, the film featured a determined Comanche warrior going against a modern Predator (whom she called Mupitsi).
Well, it was quite interesting to see a Predator pitted against a human from a different time period of Earth’s cultural history. That trend continued with the 2025 film, Predator: Killer of Killers. The film spans three different timelines and three different characters, all of which connect in the end.
The film features the Viking period, a charged family drama set in feudal Japan, and a pilot from World War II, who ultimately come face to face with a Yautja. They are picked up and put in cryosleep, only to later face off against the deadliest Predator amongst the hunters.
The whole point of this film was to show that history vs. Predator works. That little segment of a Predator climbing on the rooftops of Japan in the feudal era somehow assimilated well into the time period. Between the samurai and ninja using techniques, weapons, and distraction to win, the Predator feels rightfully in place with its deadly gadgets and nigh-invisible cloak.
That is why the Japanese segment of the film worked, and that is why we know for sure that Dan Trachtenberg’s idea of creating a live-action film set in feudal Japan will also work. The only thing that Dan Trachtenberg needs is a widely recognized actor as the face of the movie, and who better for the role than the iconic actor Hiroyuki Sanada?
Well, the iconic actor has portrayed the role of an honorable samurai countless times with movies like The Last Samurai, 47 Ronin, Mortal Kombat, and The Wolverine! Aside from these Hollywood roles, Hiroyuki Sanada is an actor of high repute in Japan who understands the roles of Samurai better than anyone.
Dan Trachtenberg has a condition for his Predator movies
You may know Hiroyuki Sanada as the actor who starred in the lead role of the iconic show Shōgun, which went on to earn numerous accolades and nominations for being a cinematic TV series.
With Predators going into the past of human history and taking on various humans from different periods already established, a plot in feudal Japan would make for the perfect Predator movie, where a Yautja hunter has to fight the morally right and the strongest warriors of Japan—the Samurai.
Hiroyuki Sanada has already proved his worth as Lord Yoshii Toranaga in the iconic show Shōgun. So what’s stopping Dan Tracthenberg from coming over to Japan, having a talk with Sanada, and lifting the project off the air? Well, in an interview (via Movie Web), he seems to be of the opinion that he wants depth.
I really wanted to figure out, if we were to do that kind of thing again, how could it be special? And what’s the kind of story we could tell that could be equally badass and awesome, but also emotional and thematic and character-oriented?
That’s the real reason why Trachtenberg’s movies like Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers essentially worked. He has successfully managed to revive a sleeping franchise and breathe new life into it.
Although a movie starring Hiroyuki Sanada and a Predator has not been confirmed, it can be said with certainty that the world would love to see something like that (I know I would). However, only time can tell whether the Predator will come back to feudal Japan in a live-action movie or if Dan Trachtenberg will find a different time period for the galaxy’s greatest hunters.
Shōgun and Predator: Killer of Killers are available to stream on Hulu (USA).
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
